Many students every year enrolled in ACCA exams and as it always happen students keep searching the Tips and tricks of attaining the ACCA papers.

In this regard The Ismaili News have searched and find the related tips published by the BPP Pakistan.

These tips are for the following papers of ACCA:
ACCA- F4       ACCA- P1
ACCA- F5       ACCA- P2
ACCA- F6       ACCA- P3
ACCA- F7       ACCA- P4
ACCA- F8       ACCA- P5
ACCA- F9       ACCA- P6 & ACCA- P7

These tips are available for download in Pdf formate. For download the file click the ink below.

Preliminary research on college students in the US suggests that too much texting can lead to neck and shoulder pain, similar to that found in older adults who develop injuries from prolonged and repeated use of computers. Judith Gold, an ergonomics researcher at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, presented the preliminary findings of her study at this year’s annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, that took place this week in Philadelphia.

Gold, who is an assistant professor of Epidemiology at the College of Health Professions and Social Work at Temple University, where she also directs the Ergonomics and Work Physiology Laboratory, told the press that texting is probably doing for this generation of young adults aged 18 to 21 what years in front of a computer did for older adults: it is putting them at risk of serious injury.

She told the press that:

“What we’ve seen so far is very similar to what we see with office workers who’ve spent most of their time at a computer.”

Current studies of people who sit for long periods at computers, such as office workers, show they are prone to carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, and tendonitis.

Gold said text messaging is a new technology, and a new area of ergonomics research, but given the similarities in the way the body is positioned for texting, “stationary shoulders and back with rapidly moving fingers”, findings from research on overuse injuries from computers could also apply to texters.

In her preliminary research, Gold found that among college students, the more they texted, the more pain they experienced in their neck and shoulders.

She and her team use infrared cameras, motion analysis and heart rate monitors to study the body’s position in several job-related simulations.

She now wants to explore further the physiological effects of text messaging.

“Looking around our campus, you see every student on their cell phones, typing away,” said Gold.

“It’s the age group that texts the most, so it’s important to know what the health effects may be to learn whether it will cause long term damage,” she added.

The world record for texting keeps being broken, but it is currently believed to be held by a 21-year old student from Utah, Ben Cook.

In a contest held at the New York State Fair in September this year, Cook regained the world record on his 31st attempt. To do this he had to type the following 160-character message prescribed by the Guinness Book of Records in under 41.4 seconds:

“The razor-toothed piranhas of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus are the most ferocious freshwater fish in the world. In reality they seldom attack a human.”

Source: Medical News Today

The Dental Unit is a state of the art dental set up with fully equipped dental chairs. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Dental Surgeon will review patients and monitor patients’ progress on a regular basis.

S/he will carry out emergency dental procedures as well as attend to non-emergency procedures. The incumbent will counsel patients on oral hygiene instruction and demonstrate techniques to achieve this. S/he will liaise with Consultants on handling specialized cases in the provision of patient dental health care.

The dental surgeon will review and develop appropriate policies and procedures for patient care to formulate best practice guidelines. Applicants must be registered with the Medical and Dentists Practitioners’ Board and have a minimum of Bachelor of Dental Surgery qualification with at least 3 years relevant practice including one year internship from a reputable institution.

To Apply: Applications together with detailed Curriculum Vitae, names of two referees, telephone contact, e-mail address and copies of certificates and testimonials should be sent to, the Manager, Recruitment, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. P. O. Box 30270-00100, Nairobi or by email to hr.recruitment @ aku.edu. so as to reach not later than 30th November 2009.

Applications by email are preferred.
For further details, please visit www.aku.edu

Los Alamo, New Mexico, November 27, 1959: A surprise Thanksgiving Day visit was paid to the health research center of the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) by Aga Khan IV, youthful spiritual leader of 20,000,000 Moslems in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

The 23-year-old Imam of the Shiah Moslem Ismalli sect is currently touring medical institutions throughout the United States with the purpose of raising money to support a surgical wing in a hospital which he established in Nairobi, Kenya, Africa last year. His trip to Los Alamos was an offshoot of a two-day visit to Dr. Randolph Lovelace, head of the Lovelace Clinic in Albuquerque.

Read the complete Historical article from the Source

For download Ringtones of Fez’s new album fabulous songs visit Fez’s Website

School improvement initiatives taken from the outside do not have an effective impact on change processes without the involvement of communities and parents in the school teaching and learning process.

In order to increase maximum capacity building of the communities and their participation in the school improvement activities, the Aga Khan University-Professional Development Centre’s (AKU-PDCN) Whole School Improvement Programme (WSIP), apart from other stakeholders of the communities, involves parents, particularly mothers in the teaching and learning processes by celebrating Mothers’ Dayand sometimes mothers’ meetings in each of the project schools during various terms of the academic year.

The school management committee (SMC), the village education committee (VEC) and in some schools the parent teacher association (PTA) play a vital role in collaborating with the PDCN faculty to ensure maximum participation on such occasions.

Initially the mothers show a little reluctance to come to schools because of the cultural sensitivities. Conducive environment in the project schools and the friendly interaction of the faculty have now encouraged them to visit the schools frequently in order to share their feelings and ideas about how mothers can contribute to the school and student’s performance.

The mothers had never visited the schools before WSIP. Some shared that they had never thought about how they could help the schools and their children in their learning process. It is through the frequent meetings of the PDCN faculty with school management committees (SMCs) and some mothers already working in different schools as teachers that the attendance and participation of mothers in meetings has increased gradually.

The PDCN faculty encourages mothers to serve as members of the school management committees and village education committees in order to become more informed about what happens in schools to contribute knowledge about their children and also sharing an equal voice with the teachers.

The significant features of mothers meetings are to:

· Discuss with them about creating a home environment that encourages the children’s learning.

· Become more involved in their children’s education at home.

· Communicate high, yet reasonable expectations for their children’s achievement and future guidance.

· Develop procedures that enable mothers to monitor and help homework.

· Provide frequent, timely communication on student progress so mothers can respond to the student’s individual inter

ests and difficulties.

· Discuss issues related to students leaving the school premises during school hours.

· Discuss cleanliness and basic health problems.

· Use mothers as resource persons in teaching and learning process, i.e., some mother’s are very good in sewing and cooking, while some are working as health workers. The programme tries to invite and arrange sessions where these mothers share their skills and experiences.

· Share mobile library resources that literate mothers might read aloud to their children at home as illiterate mothers could tell indigenous stories to their children.

· Identify how mothers can manage and prepare low-cost cushions/seats to their children who are expected to sit on the ground in the few schools where building/space is not available for some classes.

There are clear benefits from having the mothers’ effective involvement in the school process. It helps in minimizing students’ absenteeism from the classes. It is observed that in schools where mothers have participated, the students no longer leave the premises during school hours and the attendance, too, has increased. The habit of cleanliness in students and the quality of their uniform has also improved. Students bring basic resources, i.e., pen, pencil, sharpener and writing and reading resources in their bags. Mothers have prepared low-cost cushions for their children who have to sit on the floor due to lack of building and space in few project schools. Some mothers and their educated daughters, too, teach in the school as substitute and volunteer teachers.

The mothers have started visiting the schools where they can discuss their children’s performances as well as ask the teachers how they can assist their children more meaningfully at home. Health visitors and health workers, too, are being used as resource persons in mothers meetings, where they share, conduct sessions on basic health education and suggest activities to mothers about prevention of diseases caused by germs.

All the above results indicate that mothers can be involved in forming an effective partnership with the home and community in order to improve the schools.

Michael Fullan (1997) says it best: “Nothing motivates a child more than when learning is valued by schools and families/communities working together in partnership. These forms of [mothers’] involvement do not happen by accident or even by invitation. They happen by explicit strategic intervention.”

The writer works at the Aga Khan Universitys Professional Development Centre North in Gilgit.

Source: Dawn

The Public Foundation Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP KG), an initiative of the Aga Khan Foundation, and the Mayor’s Administration officially opened Kindergarten #18 “Ak Dil” this afternoon in the eastern part of Naryn City. The partnership provides access to early childhood development (ECD) programmes for 90 children who previously could not attend kindergarten. Kindergarten #18 will run one full-day group for 30 young children and two half-day groups for the remaining older children.

The investment in Kindergarten #18 includes repairs to an existing but unused building, renovations of the kitchen, installation of the water pipe, organization of the playground, the provision of furniture as well as teaching and learning materials. At the same time, MSDSP KG will provide on-going teacher training support to the kindergarten’s 3 teachers and monitor the learning achievement of students. The total cost of the project was $60,400, of which the Mayor’s Adminstration contributed $27,800 and MSDSP KG donated $25,000. The community contributed nearly $8,000 to the project. As with other kindergartens in Naryn, the local authorities will cover teacher salaries and other operational costs.The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from Parliament, the Kyrgyz Academy of Education, the National State University named after Arabaeva, international NGOs, the Naryn City Administration, the Naryn City Kenesh, as well as members from the surrounding community.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, guests enjoyed a performance by kindergarten children and then toured the facility.In his speech, Mayor Almaz Kulmatov noted that “Municipality is ready for further collaboration with the public foundation MSDSP KG in any format in solution of socio-economic issues in the city. I am sure that in 2010 our partnership will reach high scale, and we can be partners in all major branches” Shahid Punjani, the Chief Executive Officer of the Aga Khan Foundation said that “Kindergarten #18 is a symbol of the strong partnership between MSDSP KG and the City of Naryn as well as the Aga Khan Development Network’s growing investment in Naryn Oblast. In addition to supporting the education sector through the University of Central Asia, kindergartens and other interventions, the AKDN is also interested to contribute to the region’s economic development.

“Since 2005, MSDSP KG has helped to establish 29 central and 56 satellite kindergartens in Osh and Naryn Oblasts to provide more that 2,500 children with access to quality early childhood development programming. Internal evaluations show that children attending MSDSP KG-supported ECD programmes outperform other students in primary school.

Source: The Free Library

Event:             World COPD Day
Date:               November 17, 2009  
Time:              2:00 – 4:30 pm
Venue:            Aga Khan University (AKU) Auditorium

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pair of two commonly co-existing diseases of the lungs in which the airways become narrowed, leading to limited flow of air to and from the lungs and causing shortness of breath. In contrast to asthma, the limitation of airflow is usually not reversible and can progressively get worse over time. COPD is caused by noxious particles or gas, most commonly from tobacco smoking, which triggers an swelling in the lungs, which are worsened by infections or air pollution. 

It is estimated that about 10 per cent of the population in Pakistan above the age of 40 suffers from COPD. The most important early symptom of this disease is persistent cough accompanied with sputum. As the disease advances a person starts to feel shortness of breath even on slightest exertion. If COPD is detected early, treatments are available to prevent further deterioration of lung function.

Download Program Details

For Contact: The Aga Khan University, Pakistan

World Diabetes Day is observed every year on 14 November to raise awareness of diabetes. This year’s theme focuses on diabetes education and prevention. Type 2 diabetes is at least five times more common in South Asians than in the wider population. While there is currently no cure for it, people with diabetes can still live a full life by carefully managing their condition.

If you are affected by diabetes, it’s important to avoid swings in your blood glucose (sugar), so it doesn’t go too high or too low. What you eat and how often you eat has a direct impact on your blood glucose. Also, people with diabetes are more prone to developing heart disease, but that doesn’t mean you need to switch to eating boiled curries and Western foods. If you look after your diet and lifestyle habits, then you can significantly reduce your risks.

Eat regular meals. Eating regularly helps to keep your blood glucose levels steady throughout the day. It can also help you to maintain good energy levels as the day progresses. Get in the habit of creating a balanced plate. Choose starchy carbohydrate foods, especially those which have a low glycaemic index (GI). Eating medium or low GI foods at mealtimes can help you manage your diabetes. Examples include dhals, beans, basmati rice, pasta, grainy or seeded breads (such as granary), bulgur wheat, sweet potato, cassava (mogo) porridge, and fruit and vegetables. Starchy foods will fill you up, often provide fibre, and tend to be lower in calories than fatty foods, but you also need to watch portion sizes.

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Even as India-Pakistan political relations remain chilly, a silent health initiative is on between both countries with leading Pakistani varsity Aga Khan University in Karachi working with its Indian partners to develop models for e-health in primary health care sector in southern and western India. “Being borderless is the charm of e-health or telemedicine. This technology for healthcare profession does not have any boundaries. Even though the political relations are not good between the two countries, we are regularly collaborating with our Indian partners in the field of e-health or telemedicine,” Aga Khan University assistant professor, e-health, Shariq Khoja told Sakaal Times.

Khoja was in the city to attend a three-day conference Telemedicon ‘09, organised by Telemedicine Society of India.

“We are collaborating with Karuna Trust in Bangalore. We are having projects with them on usage of e-health in primary healthcare. We are jointly developing models for e-healthcare sector,” Khoja said. The university is also rendering services in Mumbai, Gujarat and Rajasthan. It is currently looking for more such e-health collaborations with Indian agencies. “We can help India in developing e-health programmes, while India can help by sharing its success stories in the field, which we can replicate. We do work very closely on policy side as well. The best practices shared by both countries can help improving the social structure,” he said.

“Thus must be also acknowledged that India’s telemedicine programme is progressing much better than Pakistan’s. This is mainly due to the infrastructure support being provided by the Indian government. In India, government has taken the initiative to involve Indian Space Research Organisation to provide satellite connectivity across the social spectrum. This is a major support,” he said. About Pakistan, the expert said that though the government was supporting the programme, it has not been able to provide the connectivity required for linking primary health centres with big hospitals.

He added that his country had made significant progress in recent past by getting all forces together to work jointly for the e-health programme. “We formed the e-Health Association and e-Health Council was formed by the Pakistan government. The International Society for Telemedicine and e-Health recognised Pakistan for e-health structure. We have the right players at the right place, supported by good technology. We are at a point from where we can only grow,” Khoja said.

Source: Sakaal Times

Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi’s commitment to deliver safe, high quality patient care has been reaffirmed by the Joint Commission International’s grant of accreditation for the second time – in 2006, the University Hospital became the first health care institution in Pakistan to be accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI).

JCI standards represent a worldwide consensus on quality patient care that reflects state-of-the-art health care practices and health care delivery trends. Accreditation engages the organisation’s governing board, professional staff and administration in a cooperative effort to continuously improve patient care.

“Receiving the JCI accreditation validates the fact that Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) in Karachi delivers its services at the highest quality hospital standards,” said Firoz Rasul, President, Aga Khan University (AKU) at a ceremony to honour the efforts of the AKUH quality assurance team in helping achieve the JCI re-accreditation. “In order to uphold this compliance, we must remain engaged in continuous improvement and maintain a patient-centred approach to ensure that a patient’s journey at AKUH is as pleasant as possible.”
 
AKUH, Karachi also received, for first-time, ISO 22000:2005 certification for its Nutrition and Food Services Division (NFSD) in May 2009. These standards are exclusive to the food and beverage industry and AKU’s NFSD is the first hospital-based food production service in Pakistan to be certified on these specialised food safety standards. AKUH was also ISO 9001:2008 re-certified in June 2009 for the delivery of more customer-focused, quality conscious care to patients.

Regional CEO Health Services, Asia, Nadeem Mustafa Khan, noted that all three achievements were earned in the University’s 25th anniversary year, adding that quality health care delivery comes in the form of “satisfied, delighted patients … even those who call for blessings on their caregivers.” He noted that accreditation is attainable only through collaboration and team effort amongst all staff members of an organisation.

AKUH, Karachi plans to assist affiliated Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan hospitals, the University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya and going forward, the hospitals operated by Aga Khan Health Service, Kenya achieve JCI standards also. “We also want to extend this certification to other Aga Khan hospitals so that the entire Aga Khan health care system provides high quality care to the communities it serves. AKUH, Karachi serves as a role model in the region, providing access to global best practices in healthcare,” said President Rasul. In the future, the AKU-managed French Medical Institute for Children, Kabul, Afghanistan and the Damascus General Assembly Hospital, Damascus, Syria, which is collaborating with AKUH’s Nursing Services, will also work towards reaching international standards of quality and patient care. AKUH, Karachi will provide training and capacity building to these institutions to prepare them for JCI accreditation.

Source: AKU

Stephen Burge, an IIS Research Associate, presented a paper at the Annual Conference of the British Association for the Study of Religions (BASR). The conference, which took place in Bangor, Wales from 7^th to 9^th September 2009, was called “Religion, Landscapes and other Uncertain Boundaries”. The attendees heard presentations on subjects ranging from Judaism to New Religious Movements, as well as a number of papers on themes in Islamic Studies.Burge’s paper, entitled ‘Angels and Sacred Space in Islam’, looked at ways in which angels are used to create, denote and give authority to sacred spaces, as described in the hadith of Prophet Muhammad.The paper’s main theme is that angels are used in Islamic tradition to blur the boundaries between heaven and earth, drawing the divine world into a more intimate relationship with the earthly. Dr. Burge discussed different ways in which angels are used to denote holy and unholy locations, focusing on a hadith collection of the late medieval Egyptian writer Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti (d. 1505 CE), a foremost hadith master, juristic expert, teacher and polymath. Dr. Burge also draws on earlier works for supporting material.

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Source: Fez’s Web

Born in Karachi, Pakistan, brought up in Dubai, U.A.E. He produced and released his first album titled “Aag” in 1997, the project summative humble sales of over 2,000 copies and made Fez in obtaining experience in the music industry and defining his musical style of today.

Fez is a Muslim singer, Composer and Producer, who focuses on passing a message of Peace, Hope, Generosity, Kindness and Love all of which are core values of Islam. Fez, along with Shams Soomar in year 2002 produced an album, titled “City of Light”, which sold over 5,000 copies. Fez realized that his music, with a religious message, was able to vibrate with those looking for a combination of modern sounds.

Another album titled “The Evolution of Creation” released in 2006. That was an instrumental album. This album conveys the meaning of the existence of God, Manking and his closeness to God.

Once again in Feb 2008 an inspiring album “A Golden Sunrise” was released. When Fez started producing the album in 2005, he did not expect to see such strong positive feedback. The album was especially able to connect with the Muslim Youth, and that is perhaps what helped it in garnering sales of over 13,000 copies just in the United States of America alone.

Fez has also been featured as a lyricist for the title song on the album, “Frontierless Brotherhood”. He has also performed in many cities over the last few years including Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Seattle, Austin, Orlando, Los Angeles, Toronto and Calgary.

Enthused by the support he received in his projects, Fez’s  Coincidence with Aftab Ali, PlanetUnity Records is currently working on a new mainstream album. As of yet untitled, the album is expected to go on sale in the Fall of 2009.

Fez resided in the Dallas, Texas married with Khairunissa Meghani for 6 years He had a baby girl named Shifa Inaaya Meghani.

Official Website: http://fezmeghani.com

Small grants given directly to villagers have brought about modest but important changes in this corner of Afghanistan, offering a model in a country where official corruption and a Taliban insurgency have frustrated many large-scale development efforts.Much of that money was funneled through the central government, which has been increasingly criticized as incompetent and corrupt. Even more has gone to private contractors hired by the United States who siphon off almost half of every dollar to pay the salaries of expatriate workers and other overhead costs.

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CEO Of Aga Khan Foundation Canada remarks at From Kabul to Halifax: An Evening of Afghan Music and Culture”, the closing event at the Bridges That Unite exhibition at Pier 21, Canada’s Immigration Museum.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) will launch a new specialty of Critical Care Medicine (CCM) for training of junior doctors in the country according to international standards.

In the new fellowship, training would likely be started from January next year at selective resource/training centres in Karachi, Lahore and twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. “Pakistan has not more than six qualified experts in the field of Critical Care Medicine (CCM) and all these are foreign qualified as training in the specialty has not been made available over here in Pakistan as yet,” said elected Councillor and Controller of Examination at CPSP Professor Dr. Shoaib Shafi while talking to ‘The News’ Thursday.

He said that the CPSP has planned two-year training/fellowship in CCM. “It would be second FCPS means only those who have already qualified an FCPS in Medicine, Anaesthesia, Surgery, Pulmonology or Nephrology can apply for the FCPS in CCM,” he said. He said that the training in the course would most probably be started from January 2010 initially at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Shifa International, Islamabad, Military Hospital Rawalpindi, Services Hospital and Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Lahore and Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. “Last date for submission of applications for candidates, the FCPS doctors, is December 31, 2009.” He said that the CPSP is presently busy doing inspections for finalisation of resource/training centres. “We planned to increase number of training centres to provide opportunity to maximum doctors all across Pakistan.”

He said that the CPSP has already approved the degree in the planned course and curriculum for the training has also been finalised. “After accreditation of the fellowship by the CPSP, we would be able to have acquired number of specialists in the field within next few years,” said Dr. Shoaib.

Source: The News

Roshan Budhwani never wanted to leave her surroundings, let alone her country. After all, she had worked hard to make her home what it was — a safe haven in her old age. But in their 70s, she and her husband, Tajuddin, made the gut-wrenching decision to leave their Karachi home, and move in with their only daughter, Nilusha Patel, in California.It was a well thought out plan. As aches and illnesses took over their lives and their health slowly deteriorated, the elderly couple started relying more and more on their daughter and her family for their loving care. In September 2008, Roshan’s husband passed away and a few months later she suffered a fall — an incident that further weakened her.

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Software giant Microsoft has joined hands with three Gujarat-based welfare organisations to give IT training to people who don’t have access to technology, mainly computers.

The American company, through its division Microsoft Community Affairs, has tied up with Aga Khan Foundation, Mahila Sewa Trust and Saath Charitable Trust. One of the key objectives of the initiative, called ‘Project Jyoti’, is to teach people how to obtain information under the RTI Act.

“We have set up Community Technology Learning Centres (CTLCs) across the state to provide technological support to people living in rural areas,” Vikas Goswami, who leads Microsoft’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, said.

Read complete from the Source

Written by Christian Nordqvist

Double vision, also known as Diplopia, is the simultaneous perception of two images of a single object – the patient sees two images of a single thing either all the time, or some of the time. The displacement may be horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Diagonal double displacement (double vision) means both the horizontal lines and vertical lines are being perceived as doubled – also known as oblique separation.

Single binocular vision – each eye of the individual works independently, creating its own, faintly different image. The patient, however, only perceives one image because the brain is able to control the muscles of the eyes so that both of them point accurately at the object the person is looking at. The brain then joins the images produced by both eyes into one image – this is known as single binocular vision.

If, however, the eye muscles are damaged, or even the nerves, or if some health condition has weakened them, the muscles may not be able to control the eyes correctly, resulting in double vision.

According to Medilexicon’s medical dictionary, diplopia is: “The condition in which a single object is perceived as two objects.”

There are three types of double Diplopia:

• Binocular double vision – both the patient’s eyes do not work together properly. The double vision will disappear if the patient covers one eye, or the other.
• Monocular double vision – this is when double vision continues when the unaffected eye is covered. The double vision comes from just one eye. When the affected eye is covered, the double vision usually disappears. Ghosting is common with patients with monocular double vision – the two images are usually only very slightly separated.
• Physiological double vision – often objects the person is not focusing on – background objects – appear doubled. This vision problem often goes unnoticed because the patient’s brain can usually compensate for this type of double vision. When a child complains of double vision, it is usually physiological double vision.

It is important that patients with double vision check with their GP (general practitioner, primary care physician) or ophthalmologist about the effects their vision defect may have on their vehicle driving competence. In the UK, and many other countries, people with any vision defect who hold a current driving license are legally required to inform the authorities of their condition.

What are the signs and symptoms of double vision?

A symptom is something the patient feels and reports, while a sign is something other people, including a doctor or nurse may detect. For example, pain may be a symptom while a rash may be a sign.

Double vision, which is sometimes confused with blurred vision, as mentioned above, is when the individual sees two images of a single object. Blurred vision is a single unclear image, while double vision is the perception of two images, when there is only one.

Double vision affects people in different ways. Some patients may experience double vision occasionally, while others have it all the time. Some people say they only experience double vision when they are looking in a specific direction.

If an individual gets double vision when they see in one particular direction, it is most likely due to eye-muscle weakness – either the lateral rectus muscle or the medial rectus muscle. Both muscles are located on either side of the eyeball – their movements make the eyeball move to the left or right.

Patients with muscle paralysis may have a cross-eyed, or wandering eye appearance.

Anybody who develops double vision should see either their GP or an ophthalmologist immediately. Double vision is a sign of several possible medical conditions, some of which may be serious.

Double vision in children

Children are less able to express what is wrong with their eyesight than adults. A child with double vision may narrow their eyes when trying to focus on something (squint). Some kids may cover one eye with their hand, or deliberately close one eye. If a child gazes at things with an unusual head position frequently it could be a sign of double vision.

Childhood double vision can be treated more effectively if diagnosed early on. Therefore, any signs or symptoms of double vision in a child should be reported to a health care professional as soon as possible.

What are the causes of double vision?

• Binocular double vision – most people with double vision have binocular double vision. The patient’s eyes are not perfectly aligned – they point at slightly different angles, which results in slightly different images being sent to the brain. However, the images are not similar enough for the brain to create one single, clear image – so, two images are created (double image, double vision).

  The most common reason for eyes not being completely aligned is a squint (strabismus). This is due to a weakened or paralyzed eye muscle. Not all squints cause double vision, but most cases of double vision are caused by squints. Squints are common among young children.

  The following conditions can cause binocular double vision:

  • A thyroid disease, which results in weakened external eye muscles.
  • An arterial disease. Especially one involving an artery which feeds the brain with blood and essential oxygen.
  • Diabetes. The nerves that control eye movement may be damaged. If the diabetes is controlled (treated effectively) the damaged nerves usually repair themselves and the problem resolves.
  • Myasthenia gravis – this is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder in which the muscles become fatigued and exhausted.
  • MS (multiple sclerosis) - the central nervous system (CNS) is attacked by the person’s own immune system. That is why MS is known as an auto-immune disease. The CNS includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.
  • An aneurysm – occurs when part of a blood vessel (artery) or cardiac chamber swells, – either the blood vessel is damaged or there is a weakness in the wall of the blood vessel. As blood pressure builds up it balloons out at its weakest point. The swelling can be quite small or very large – when large it tends to extend along the blood vessel. As the aneurysm grows there is a greater risk of rupture – this can lead to severe hemorrhage, and other complications, including sudden death. If the arteries in the brain bulge there is a risk of developing double vision.
  • A blood clot – if this develops behind the eye, eye movement may become restricted.
  • A stroke – a condition where a blood clot or ruptured artery or blood vessel interrupts blood flow to an area of the brain. A lack of oxygen and glucose (sugar) flowing to the brain leads to the death of brain cells and brain damage, often resulting in impairment in speech, vision, movement, and memory.
  • Cancer – a tumor in or behind the eye may distort the image the eye produces. A brain tumor may also be a cause of double vision.
  • Injury – head injuries can sometimes result in damage to the muscles in the orbit (eye socket), or the nerves that control eye-movement muscles, both of which can result in double vision.
• Monocular double vision – this less common form of double vision can be caused by the following abnormalities:
  • An abnormality in the cornea
  • An abnormality in the iris
  • An abnormality in the lens of the eye
  • An abnormality in the vitreous humor; a gelatinous substance that fills the eye.
  • An abnormality in the aqueous humor; a watery fluid that fills the space behind the cornea.

  Monocular double vision is commonly caused by:

  • Astigmatism – the front surface of the eye (cornea) of a person with astigmatism is not curved properly – the curve is irregular – usually one half is flatter than the other – sometimes one area is steeper than it should be.
  • A cataract – a rare type of cataract may cause the eye’s image to be split. Cataracts are cloudy areas in the lens inside the eye – which is normally clear.
    and also (less commonly)..
  • Dry eye
  • A swelling in the eyelid that presses against the front of the eye.
  • A dislocated lens
• Temporary double vision may be caused by:
  • Alcohol intoxication
  • Concussion
  • Anti-epileptic drug side effect. Such drugs as Phynytoin and Zonisamide.
  • Anti-convulsant drug side effect. An example includes Lamotrigine.
  • Hypnotic drug side effect. Zolpidem.
  • Tiredness, especially if the eye muscles are strained.

How is double vision diagnosed?

A doctor who specializes in vision and eye conditions and diseases is called an ophthalmologist. If you go to your GP with what appear to be signs and symptoms of double vision, you will most likely be referred to an ophthalmologist.

• Preliminary tests – the specialist will first try to determine whether the patient has monocular or binocular double vision. The patient will be asked to cover one eye and then the other and describe his vision.
• Binocular double vision – the specialist needs to determine which eye muscles are faulty. Typically, the patient will be asked to visually follow the doctor’s finger as it moves horizontally and vertically – this simple test will tell the doctor how far each eye can move.
• Covering one eye – with one eye covered the patient is asked to focus on an object. If, when the cover is removed, the eyes change alignment, it is an indication of an alignment problem.
• Prism – a prism is a piece of glass that bends light. A prism is placed in front of one eye – the prism shifts the image the person is looking at. Then the prism is placed in front of the other eye. This test helps the doctor determine the degree of double vision experienced by the patient when he/she is looking in various directions.
• Monocular double vision – the specialist will examine the patient for possible eye conditions, such as cataracts. With data from the patient’s medical history, signs and symptoms and the test results, the doctor will determine what medical condition has caused the double vision. The next step is to order tests for that condition.

What are the treatment options for double vision?

Treatment for double vision depends on what type it is: binocular or monocular.

• Binocular double vision treatment – treatment options will depend on several factors, including its cause and prognosis. Treatment may include:
  • Eye muscle surgery
  • Having a contact lens in one eye which totally blocks vision
  • Having an eye patch over one eye
  • Receiving a botulinum toxin injection for one of the eye muscles
  • Wearing glasses with filters

  Children’s brains are better able to suppress one of the images, resulting in ignored double vision (the double vision is there, but the brain manages to ignore some of the data so that the patient experiences no symptoms).

• Strabismus (squint) - treatment may involve eye exercises, special glasses, surgery, or a combination, which sometimes may include all three.

  If the fault is detected early on during childhood the chances of a total cure are very good. If a squint continues into adult life double vision is much harder to correct.

  Botulinum toxin injections may be utilized to treat squints, and some other eye disorders. Small-dose botulinum toxin injections may stop muscle spasms by preventing chemical messages in the nerves. The botulinum toxin is mixed with salt water and injected into the muscle. The patient may feel a bit sore afterwards, but recovery is fast.

• IOL (opaque intraocular lens) - this procedure may be carried out if the patient has not responded well to other treatments. IOL is only used for patients with binocular double vision. The lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an implant.

  The lens may be removed in fragments (Phacoemulsification). The lens may be removed in one piece (extracapsular surgery). An incision is made in the cornea and the IOL is inserted.

  An iris claw lens (specially made tinted IOL) may be surgically attacked to the tissue of the iris using a claw-like mechanism. With this procedure the natural lens of the eye is not removed.

  Although the IOL procedure has a good success rate, there is a slight risk of the intraocular lens breaking, or damaging the natural lens.

• Monocular double vision – treatment will depend on the underlying condition that is causing monocular double vision.
  • Astigmatism – the patient may be prescribed corrective lenses, which may be in the form of glasses or contact lenses. Contact lenses are not normally prescribed for children 12 years of age or younger. The corrective lenses make up for the uneven curvature of the cornea, so that rays of light properly focus on to the retina.

    Patients with astigmatism may also benefit from laser surgery.

  • Cataracts – the patient will undergo surgery to have the cataracts removed. If the patient has cataracts in both eyes he/she will undergo two separate operations, one for each eye. The second operation will occur after the first eye has healed.
• Dry eye syndrome (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) - the eyes do not make enough tears, or they dry out too rapidly. The eyes dry out, become sore and inflamed, often resulting in double vision. The patient will be prescribed tear substitutes (eye drops). In very severe cases the patient may need surgery, but this is very rare.

Prevention

There is nothing people can do to prevent double vision if they have a squint or astigmatism. However, there are steps people can take to prevent or effectively treat underlying causes which increase the risk of double vision.

• Diabetes – patients with diabetes who adhere to treatment protocols have a lower risk of developing double vision, compared to diabetes patients who don’t. In other words, if you keep your diabetes under control your risk of double vision is much lower than if you don’t.

  Diabetes Type II can develop as a result of lifestyle. People who eat a healthy and balanced diet, do plenty of exercise and maintain a healthy bodyweight are much less likely to develop diabetes, and subsequently double vision, compared to people who are obese, do not eat healthily and are physically inactive.

• Cataracts – if you protect your eyes from sunlight by wearing sunglasses, don’t smoke, eat a healthy balanced diet, your risk of developing age-related cataracts will be significantly lower, compared to a person who smokes regularly and does not protect his/her eyes from sunlight.
• Dry eye syndrome – keeping your eyes well lubricated will help prevent double vision. If you spend a long time each day in front of a computer monitor, make sure it is properly positioned. Avoid smoke and other eye irritants and try to minimize eye strain.
• Head injuries – wearing a seatbelt in a car, wearing a good helmet when you are on a motorbike, wearing appropriate headgear and goggles when using certain types of machinery or playing some sports, will help protect your head. These preventive measures will lower your risk of developing double vision from a head injury.

Source: Medical News Today

2010-2011 Academic Year

* All supporting documents must also be received by this date. If an application deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, supporting documents must be received the next business day.

Career Development Grants support women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance their careers, change careers, or re-enter the work force. Special consideration is given to women of color, and women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentials in nontraditional fields.

Grants provide support for course work beyond a bachelor’s degree, including a master’s degree, second bachelor’s degree, or specialized training in technical or professional fields. Funds are available for distance learning. Course work must be taken at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States, or at a technical school that is fully licensed or accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. Funds are not available for PhD-level work.

For Application: Online Application Career Development Grants: http://www.act.org/aauw/cdg

Source: AAUW

DUSHANBE, November 11, 2009: On Tuesday November 10, Dushanbe Mayor Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev received Mr. Munir Merali, Resident Representative, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Tajikistan.

According to press service of the Dushanbe mayor’s office, the sides discussed the process of implementation of the AKDN projects in the Tajik capital.

Dushanbe mayor proposed to complete construction of the world-class Dushanbe Serena Hotel until the 2010 Navrouz holiday (Navrouz holiday is marked on March 21) and construct the Aga Khan residence in Dushanbe until the 20th anniversary of Tajikistan’s Independence, which will be marked on September 9, 2011.

For his part, Mr. Merali noted that the AKDN was ready to provide assistance with development of tourism in Dushanbe and attraction of investments for development of the city’s economy.

The Dushanbe Serena Hotel, a US$25million project whose 120 units will range from luxury rooms to long-stay apartments, will incorporate conference and shopping facilities, restaurants and a roof-top recreation centre and swimming pool.  The hotel, to be managed by Tourism Promotion Services (a subsidiary of Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development) is being developed following a design from the award-winning architectural firm, ARCOP, a Montreal-based firm.

When completed, the Dushanbe Serena Hotel will join several Serena properties across the region to help strengthen tourism development in areas rich in cultural sites, physical attractions and economic opportunity.  These include Serena units in Kabul, Afghanistan, and at Islamabad, Quetta, Faisalabad, Gilgit and Swat in Pakistan. 

Source: Asia Plus

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For complete collection of the Imam’s Scale and other photographs of Sir Sultan Mohammad Shah Aga Khan III visit Source

Ant colonies aren’t called superorganisms for nothing. In some species, millions of individuals can act as a single entity to protect and feed the colony. This behavior has led to over 200 different species being called “Army Ants”, so in a way it’s no surprise that these mechanisms have been used for the basis of new software that helps troops to define the best path within a battle field. Antonio Miguel Mora García of the University of Granada designed the “ant colony optimization algorithm (ACO)” to allow army troops to choose the optimum path path within a military battle field taking into account speed and minimum casualties.

And what better way to prepare and test the system than using a strategy videogame – Panzer General™ in this case.

The resulting mini-simulator enables the researchers to define the battlefield scenario and analyze the initial map and the results of the movement.

So how useful is such an approach in modern military strategy? That question seems debatable, but thankfully the research has applications beyond the field of battle. The UGR scientists see the simulator as being useful for streamlining a range of logistical challenges on civvy street such as optimizing fuel consumption and time when distributing goods from a central warehouse.

Source: Gizmag

First Microinsurance Agency (FMiA)’ in Karachi has offered several hundred clients basic outpatient care, along with information on health insurance.  This is the part of a new programme designed to make poor people aware of microinsurance services and their benefits.

The health clinics programme, which is expected to continue, is meant to help fulfill FMiA’s goal of providing affordable insurance products carefully tailored to the needs of poor families. “FMiA hopes to keep playing an important role in making health care easily available to its clients and others that need it,” said Al Malik Khoja, the acting CEO of FMiA.

Microinsurance services offered by FMiA include: hospitalization insurance, savings completion and credit life. Counselors at the clinics offer advice on microinsurance products, including how:• Health insurance provides cashless coverage for medical expenses incurred in private and medical hospitals due to serious illnesses, obstetric care and accidents,

•    Savings completion ensures that a family’s savings objectives are met even in the event of the death or injury of the breadwinner,
•    Credit life helps to protect the family of the loan borrower from debt in case of death or serious disability.

FMiA Pakistan is the first of two microinsurance institutions operated by the Aga Khan Agency for Microfinance (AKAM). FMiA focuses on the needs of poor families, in both the formal and informal economies, by providing them with a range of financial products that will help protect their assets and well-being. AKAM is a not-for-profit; non-denominational, international development agency created under Swiss law and it has 13 microcredit operations and two microinsurance operations in 13 countries. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. It is governed by a Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Board is His Highness the Aga Khan.

Source: Micro Finance Focus

by Mairas

NWFP Minister for Population Welfare Saleem Khan has said the federal government has approved the Tajikistan Road Project in principle to establish road link between Pakistan and Central Asian states via Chitral as this is the shortest and most feasible route in this regard.

Addressing a public gathering in his native village Garam Chashma in Chitral, the other day, the minister said the proposed road would provide access to Central Asian states to the sea via Pakistan and it would help promote trade and generate other economic activities in the whole region, including Chitral.

He said Prince Karim Aga Khan had struggled for the project, and the Aga Khan Development Network had agreed to fund the project. The minister said the government had allowed the people of Chitral to travel through the under construction Lowari tunnel during the upcoming winter season when the Lowari top was closed due to heavy snowfall.

Saleem Khan thanked the federal government, specially Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for including Chitral in the special package for Malakand division and said it would help compensate the losses of Chitral’s farmers which they suffered due to imposition of curfew in the region during the Malakand operation. In response to public complaints against the line departments of Chitral, he warned the concerned officials to redress the grievances of masses, otherwise, there would be no place for them in Chitral.

Source: BRecorder